Fig. 2.—Apple tree killed by rabbits.
Table I.—Lengths of open season for rabbits or hares.
| State or Province. | Beginning of open season. | Beginning of close season. | Length of open season. |
| Maine | Oct. 1 | Apr. 1 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | do. | Mar. 1 | 5 |
| Vermont | Sept. 15 | do. | 5-1/2 |
| Massachusetts | Oct. 12 | do. | 4-3/5 |
| Rhode Island | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 |
| Connecticut | Oct. 8 | do. | 2-3/4 |
| New York | Oct. 1 | Feb. 1 | 4 |
| Long Island | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 |
| New Jersey | Nov. 10 | Dec. 16 | 1-1/5 |
| Pennsylvania | Nov. 1 | Dec. 1 | 1 |
| Delaware | Nov. 15 | Jan. 1 | 1-1/2 |
| Maryland | Nov. 10 | Dec. 25 | 1-1/2 |
| District of Columbia | Nov. 1 | Feb. 1 | 3 |
| Virginia | do. | do. | 3 |
| Kentucky | Nov. 15 | Sept. 15 | 10 |
| Ohio | do. | Dec. 5 | 2/3 |
| Indiana | Apr. 1 | Jan. 10 | 9-1/3 |
| Illinois | Aug. 31 | Feb. 1 | 5-1/30 |
| Michigan | Oct. 1 | Mar. 2 | 5-1/30 |
| Wisconsin: | |||
| 6 counties | Sept. 10 | Feb. 1 | 4-2/3 |
| 13 counties | Oct. 10 | do. | 3-2/3 |
| 6 counties | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 |
| Colorado | Oct. 1 | Mar. 1 | 5 |
| California | July 31 | Feb. 1 | 6-1/30 |
| British Columbia | Sept. 1 | Jan. 1 | 4 |
| Ontario | Oct. 1 | Dec. 16 | 2-1/2 |
| Quebec: | |||
| Zone 1 | Oct. 15 | Feb. 1 | 3-1/2 |
| Zone 2 | do. | Mar. 1 | 4-1/2 |
| Newfoundland | Sept. 20 | Jan. 1 | 3-1/3 |
| Prince Edward Island | Nov. 1 | Feb. 1 | 3 |
| Nova Scotia | Oct. 1 | Mar. 1 | 5 |
In about half the States that have a close season for rabbits the laws permit farmers and fruit growers to destroy the animals to protect crops or trees. Such provision might well be incorporated in game laws of all States. For lack of it farmers have sometimes suffered severe losses, and not a few have been compelled to pay fines for trying to protect their property from rabbits. In States that protect rabbits it is well for the farmer to be acquainted with the game laws and in case of doubt to have a clear understanding with local and State game, wardens before undertaking to destroy rabbits.
MEANS OF REPRESSING RABBITS.
NATURAL ENEMIES.
Among the agencies that help to keep down the numbers of rabbits few are more effective than carnivorous birds and mammals. These include large hawks and owls, eagles, coyotes, wildcats, foxes, minks, weasels, dogs, and cats. Eagles, the larger species of hawks, and all the large and medium-sized owls make rabbits a great part of their food. From the standpoint of the farmer and fruit grower these birds and certain carnivorous mammals are far more beneficial than harmful. On the other hand, poultry growers and sportsmen regard them as enemies to be destroyed whenever possible. In the absence of such natural enemies, rabbits, as well as rats and mice, often become a menace to valuable crops. Indiscriminate slaughter of carnivorous birds and mammals should be suppressed whenever rodent pests are to be controlled.